Dynamically reconfigurable wetsuit

ABSTRACT

A dynamically configurable wetsuit includes a torso part having a pair of partial arm sleeves and a pair of partial leg pants. A distal end of each of the pair of partial arm sleeves and the pair of partial leg pants has a first connector that includes a set of outward-facing ridges. The wetsuit further includes a pair of arm parts and a pair of leg parts. Each of the pair of arm parts and the pair of leg parts having a second connector at a proximal end for detachable connection with one of the first connectors of the torso part, each second connector including a set of inward-facing ridges. The wetsuit further includes a fastener system to maintain a connection between the first and second connectors.

BACKGROUND

Wetsuits are garments made of thermally-insulative materials, typically a material such as a foamed neoprene or other closed- or open-celled foam material, and usually with a backing material such as nylon or other synthetic or natural cloth or fabric, such as spandex, which preferably has elastic characteristics. Wetsuits are usually worn for their thermally-insulative properties during an activity in aquatic environments, such as in cold ocean water, as well as for being a partial barrier to direct contact with water in such aquatic environments. Such activities can include, without limitation, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, prone paddleboarding, body surfing, swimming, wading, fishing, boogie-boarding, wake boarding, wake surfing, kite boarding, sail boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep diving, kayaking and the like.

Most wetsuits feature a zipper that, when unzipped, allows the wetsuit to be put on and taken off easier, and when zipped to provide a closer fitting of the wetsuit on the wearer once the wearer has put on the wetsuit. The zipper can be on back of the wetsuit, i.e. from a low-back or mid-back region of the wearer to the neck or collar of the wetsuit on the wearer. Alternatively, the zipper can be employed on a front of the wetsuit, typically across the at least part of the chest of the wearer, where the collar is first provided over the wearer's head to effectively contain the wearer's torso within the wetsuit. In any case, once the wearer's torso is contained within the wetsuit, the zipper can be pulled and interlocked to provide a closer fitting of the wetsuit on the wearer. In some categories, such as a jersey that is worn only on the upper body, a zipper can be used along the entire front of the jersey from the waist to the neck of the wearer, or on a wearer's side to allow easier ingress and egress into and out of the jersey, respectively. While a zipper may help provide a good, tight fit of the wetsuit, it is an inadequate mechanism for joining two separate components or parts due to its propensity to leak or allow passage of water.

Various configurations of wetsuits exist for different types of conditions, e.g. based on water temperature or other weather conditions. For example, a wetsuit may have a certain thickness of foam material such as neoprene, where such thickness may be inversely proportional to a water temperature of an aquatic environment in which an activity takes place. For instance, cold water environments (i.e. less than 18 degrees Celsius) may require a thickness of 4-5 mm of foam or other thermally insulative material, whereas in warmer water environments, a foam material thickness of 2-3 mm may be suitable. A wetsuit's thickness is also a matter of personal choice, and based on each wearer's experience and susceptibility to the aquatic environment.

Despite the many configurations and styles of wetsuits, there currently exists four main categories of wetsuits, all of which cover at least the wearer's torso: full suits, which also cover each of the wearer's arms and legs; “seagull” style suits, which cover the wearer's legs and have a shortened or no arm sleeves; long-sleeve, full arm-covering spring suits, which have shortened leg coverings or pants (usually to mid- to low-thigh); and spring suits, which have shortened sleeves and shortened pants. Other secondary categories include jersey tops, with full sleeves or partial sleeves. Sleeves or leg portions are typically cut from or formed of a common wetsuit material as the torso portion, and then sewed and seamed into the desired configuration or form.

However, at present, each of these categories of wetsuit require a separate and distinct wetsuit garment.

SUMMARY

This document describes a modular wetsuit that is dynamically reconfigurable into any of a number of different configurations.

In some aspects, a wetsuit include a torso part having a pair of partial arm sleeves and a pair of partial leg pants, a distal end of each of the pair of partial arm sleeves and the pair of partial leg pants having a first connector that includes a set of outward-facing ridges. The wetsuit further includes a pair of arm parts and a pair of leg parts, each of the pair of arm parts and the pair of leg parts having a second connector at a proximal end for detachable connection with one of the first connectors of the torso part, each second connector including a set of inward-facing ridges. The wetsuit further includes a fastener system comprising a first fastener part at the distal end of each of the pair of partial arm sleeves and the pair of partial leg pants, and a second fastener part at the proximal end of each of the arm parts and the leg parts, the first fastener part and second fastener part fastening together to maintain a connection between the first and second connectors.

In other aspects, a wetsuit system is presented herein for covering a wearer. The wetsuit system includes a torso part that is configured to cover the wearer's torso and a portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs. The torso part is formed of a thermally-insulative foam layer coupled with a jersey layer, and includes a first connector at a terminal end of the torso part that covers the portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs. The wetsuit further includes one or more leg parts and/or one or more arm parts. Each of the one or more leg parts and/or the one or more arm parts are configured to cover an additional portion of one of the wearer's leg or arm. Each leg part and arm part includes a second connector at a proximal end for detachable connection with the first connector of the torso part.

In yet other aspects, a joint system is described for connecting an arm part and/or leg part to a torso part of a wetsuit. The torso part is configured to cover the wearer's torso and a portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs. The joint system includes a first connector provided at a terminal end of the torso part that covers the portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs. The joint system further includes a second connector provided at a proximal end of each arm part and leg part. The second connector is configured to overlay and releasably connect each associated arm part and leg part to the torso part, and further configured to be water tight when connected.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate various configurations of a dynamically reconfigurable wetsuit system;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a joint of a joint system of a wetsuit system;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first connector of a joint of joint system, in accordance with implementations described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of materials used for the first and second connectors of a joint;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first connector engaging with a second connector in a joint system of a wetsuit system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a fastener for additional adherence between a first connector and a second connector in a joint of a joint system of a wetsuit system, consistent with implementations described herein; and

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a first connector, a second connector, and a fastening system to enhance a connection therebetween.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes a wetsuit system that includes a set of wetsuit components or parts and a joint system for mating various pairs of wetsuit components or parts to provide a number of different wetsuit configurations. Accordingly, the wetsuit system described herein enables a dynamically reconfigurable wetsuit, which is reconfigurable into one of a number of wetsuit configurations based on aquatic or atmospheric conditions or a wearer's preferences, without the need for a wearer to buy and maintain multiple different wetsuits.

In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, a wetsuit system 100 can include a torso part 102, one or more arm parts 104 (also referred to herein as “sleeves”), and one or more leg parts 106 (also referred to herein as “pants”, and which can include additional padding for the knees of the wearer), all of which are interchangeable by way of a joint system as further described below. In a preferred exemplary implementation, a wetsuit system 100 includes one torso part 102, two arm parts 104, and two leg parts 106. The two arm parts 104 and two leg parts 106 can be removably joined to the one torso part 102 by way of the joint system, which provides a substantially seamless, watertight and low-profile connection mechanism for connecting each arm part 104 and/or each leg part 106 to the torso part 102.

In some implementations, the torso part 102 includes wetsuit material to cover a wearer's torso and a portion of the wearer's arms and a portion of the wearer's legs. For instance, the torso part 102 can be formed to cover at least some of the wearer's upper arm, and extend over the wearer's shoulder to terminate toward, or near, the wearer's elbow. Preferably, the torso part 102 is formed to extend mostly over the wearer's bicep muscle, thereby covering the wearer's shoulder. Likewise, the torso part 102 can be formed to cover at least some, and preferably most, of the wearer's upper leg, or thigh. In some implementations, the torso part 102 extends over most of the wearer's thigh to terminate just above the wearer's knee.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the wetsuit system 100 further includes a joint system 200, having a set of joints 202 that enable connection of an arm part 104 and/or leg part 106 to the torso part 102. As shown in FIG. 2A, each joint 202 includes a first connector 204 provided at a terminal end 206 of the torso portion 102 that is formed to cover at least a portion of the wearer's arm or leg, and a second connector 208 provided at a proximal end 210 of each arm part 104 and leg part 106.

In some preferred implementations, and with reference to FIG. 2B, each first connector 204 at a terminal end 206 of the torso part can include an outer ridged surface 212 and a flap 214 or outer cuff that at least partially overlaps the outer ridged surface 212. The outer ridged surface 212 can have a length of 2 to 10 cm, or more. The outer ridged surface 212 can be formed of neoprene foam that is molded or thermally formed to include a number or pattern of ridges 211. The ridges 211 are preferably ridges that are circumferential with respect to a wearer's limb (arm or leg), but can also be formed as a pattern of raised areas and depressions therebetween. The outer ridged surface 212 and flap 214 can be connected coincident with the terminal end 206 by a seam, which in turn can include tape, sewing, or the like. The outer ridged surface 212 can be formed of molded neoprene, which forms an elastomeric cuff that encircles a particular location of the wearer's arm or leg, such as the lower part of the wearer's upper arm, or the lower part of the wearer's upper leg or thigh. In some implementations, the outer ridged surface 212 can be formed as a molded or pressed extension of terminal end 206 of the torso part of the wetsuit system.

Each first connector 204 can include one or more first fasteners 216 that are adapted to couple with corresponding second fasteners on the second connector 208 or associated with each arm part 104 and/or leg part 106. The fasteners 216 can be formed as hook-and-loop fasteners, where fasteners 216 can be either the hook portion or loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, and the associated portion can be provided on the arm part 104 and/or leg part 106.

In preferred implementations, the second connector 208 of the arm part 104 or leg part 106 fits over the first connector 204 and includes an inner surface that is configured to engage and connect with the outer ridged surface 212 of the first connector 204. However, in alternative implementations, the first connector 204 can include an inner ridged surface to fit over and engage a corresponding outer surface of the second connector 208.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some preferred implementations, the first connector 204 includes an outer ridged surface 212 that includes a number of ridges, which can be circular ridges, angular ridges, squared ridges, or a pattern of ridges and depressions therebetween. In some implementations, the outer ridged surface 212 can be formed of molded neoprene or other thermally-insulative foam or flexible material, and adhered to a backing layer 214 of a knitted or threaded material, such as nylon, cotton, wool, or the like. When a corresponding ridged surface of a second connector is mated with the outer ridged surface 212 of the first connector 204, it can form a water-tight seal, as well as fix the second connector 208 to the first connector 204 via engagement of ridges between each of the first connector 204 and the second connector 208.

FIG. 4 shows exemplary thicknesses of the various layers of the first connector 204 and/or second connector 208, which are formed and adapted to connect together as shown in FIG. 3. The outer ridged surface 212 of each of the first connector and second connector 208 can be formed by a molding apparatus 220, such as an iron press, a heat press, or the like. The molding apparatus 220 can be configured to provide ridges to each of the first connector 204 and the second connector 208 that optimize an interconnection therebetween. As shown in FIG. 4, the ridged surface 212 can be 0.7-1.5 mm, particularly after application of the molding apparatus 220 and consequent baking and molding of the ridges in the ridged surface 212. A neoprene layer can be from 1-1.2 mm or more, depending on the desired thermal insulative properties of the wetsuit. The jersey can be 0.7-1.5 mm thick, more or less, also depending on the anticipated environmental conditions. An adhesive layer between the jersey and the neoprene can have a thickness as well, but depending on an adhesive used, the adhesive layer can be minimized.

FIG. 5 shows how each of the first connector 204 and the second connector 208 can be constructed or formed, in order to provide a flexible connection yet provide a water-tight seal, by use of a outer cuff 205. While FIG. 5 shows a neoprene skin as being formed with ridges, other materials or ridge-forming techniques can be used. At least a portion of the outer cuff 205 can include a fastener that fastens to a corresponding fastening mechanism on the second connector 208, as described in more detail below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fastener 216 in greater detail. Each fastener 216 is formed of a fastening mechanism, such as a hook-and-loop fastening system 601, which includes a first part 602 with hooks and a second part 604 with loops that, when the first part 602 and the second part 604 are mated together, at least some of the hooks interface or interlace with at least some of the loops to connect the first part 602 and the second part 604 together, to form a fastening interface 606. In alternative implementations, the hooks and loops can be interchanged among the first part 602 and the second part 604. Other fastening systems can be used, such as buttons, snaps, latches, or the like. The first part 602 and/or the second part 604 can be enclosed or sealed with seam tape 608, particularly on an outward-facing surface of a connector.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a first connector 204, a second connector 208, and a fastener or fastening system to enhance a connection therebetween. In some implementations, the first part 602 of the fastening mechanism can be positioned on, inside or within an outer cuff 205 that covers or at least partially overlays the first connector 204. The second part 604 of the fastening mechanism can be positioned on, inside or within an area of the second connector 208. Seam tape 608 or other type of seal, enclosure, cover, or the like, can be provided over any part of the fastener that is embedded or positioned within the wetsuit material, such as within outer cuff 205. Once the second connector 208 engages or connects with the first connector 204, the first part 602 of the fastener within the outer cuff 205 can engage and fasten with the second part 604 of the fastener, to better hold the first and second connectors 204, 208 together.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A wetsuit system for covering a wearer, the wetsuit system comprising: a torso part that is configured to cover the wearer's torso and a portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs, the torso part being formed of a thermally-insulative foam layer coupled with a jersey layer, the torso part comprising a first connector at a terminal end of the torso part that covers the portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs; and one or more leg parts and/or one or more arm parts, each of the one or more leg parts and/or the one or more arm parts being configured to cover an additional portion of one of the wearer's leg or arm, each leg part and arm part comprising a second connector at a proximal end for detachable connection with the first connector of the torso part.
 2. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first connector includes an outer ridged surface extending from the terminal ends of the torso part.
 3. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 2, wherein each second connector includes an inner ridged surface extending from the proximal end, the inner ridged surface having ridges that correspond with ridges of the first connector.
 4. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the torso part further includes an outer cuff that at least partially covers the first connector, the outer cuff including a first fastener to fasten with a second fastener on each of the one or more leg parts and one or more arm parts.
 5. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 3, wherein a connection of the first connector with the second connector forms a water-resistant seal.
 6. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the outer ridged surface of the first connector and the inner ridged surface of the second connector are each formed of molded rubber.
 7. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 6, wherein the molded rubber includes a synthetic polymer.
 8. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the outer ridged surface include a plurality of circumferential ridges arranged to circumscribe a limb of the wearer.
 9. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 3, wherein the outer ridged surface of the first connector and the inner ridged surface of the second connector each include a plurality of circumferential ridges arranged to circumscribe a limb of the wearer.
 10. The wetsuit system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising two leg parts and two arm parts.
 11. A joint system for connecting an arm part and/or leg part to a torso part of a wetsuit, the torso part being configured to cover the wearer's torso and a portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs, the joint system comprising: a first connector provided at a terminal end of the torso part that covers the portion of each of the wearer's arms and legs; and a second connector provided at a proximal end of each arm part and leg part, the second connector being configured to overlay and releasably connect each associated arm part and leg part to the torso part, and further configured to be water tight when connected.
 12. The joint system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the first connector includes an outer ridged surface extending from the terminal ends of the torso part.
 13. The joint system in accordance with claim 12, wherein each second connector includes an inner ridged surface extending from the proximal end of each arm part and leg part, the inner ridged surface having ridges that correspond with ridges of the first connector.
 14. The joint system in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a fastener to fasten each arm part and/or leg part to the torso part when the first and second connectors are connected.
 15. The joint system in accordance with claim 14, wherein the fastener includes an outer cuff that at least partially covers the first connector, the outer cuff including a first fastener to fasten with a second fastener on each of the one or more leg parts and one or more arm parts.
 16. The joint system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener comprise a hook-and-loop fastener.
 17. The joint system in accordance with claim 11, wherein a connection of the first connector with the second connector forms a water-resistant seal.
 18. The joint system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the outer ridged surface of the first connector and the inner ridged surface of the second connector are each formed of molded rubber.
 19. The joint system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the molded rubber includes a synthetic polymer.
 20. A thermally-insulative wetsuit comprising: a torso part having a pair of partial arm sleeves and a pair of partial leg pants, a distal end of each of the pair of partial arm sleeves and the pair of partial leg pants having a first connector that includes a set of outward-facing ridges; a pair of arm parts and a pair of leg parts, each of the pair of arm parts and the pair of leg parts having a second connector at a proximal end for detachable connection with one of the first connectors of the torso part, each second connector including a set of inward-facing ridges; and a fastener system comprising a first fastener part at the distal end of each of the pair of partial arm sleeves and the pair of partial leg pants, and a second fastener part at the proximal end of each of the arm parts and the leg parts, the first fastener part and second fastener part fastening together to maintain a connection between the first and second connectors. 